How to Get Behind the Wheel of Your Very First Car

Buying a car is a major financial decision that could impact your credit for many years. That is why it is so important to do the proper research so that you can rest assured you have found the perfect car or truck. Here are some tips that will keep your monthly expenses to a minimum as you enjoy your first vehicle.

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While many companies will offer you a car loan even if you have a relatively small down payment, that could cost you quite a bit of money in the long run. Most specialists suggest that drivers have a minimum down payment of at least 10 percent, but a down payment of 20 percent will drastically reduce the total amount you pay for your vehicle. Some lenders require a higher down payment if the vehicle is new or exotic.

Get Pre-Approved

Once you are getting close to having your down payment, you can then begin speaking with a loan officer. Many dealerships offer on-site lending, but they rarely look out for the drivers. Getting pre-approved through your bank or credit union will allow you to choose the terms and total amount. Once your loan has been approved, it will be much easier to bargain with the dealer to bring the final price down.

Contact Your Insurance Provider Early

Every single driver must have insurance before they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. The type of vehicle you decide to buy will have a major impact on your insurance premiums as well as your deductible, and that is why you must begin speaking with an insurance provider, such as Northeast Insurance Agency, early on. Those who try to drive off of the lot without insurance could have their license suspended or revoked if they are pulled over by a law enforcement officer or get into an accident.

Consider Your Other Expenses

After you have a rough estimate of your monthly payments and insurance premiums, you then need to begin looking at the other expenses of driving. Even if you can afford a car with a larger engine, paying for gas might be too costly. Some of the other expenses to consider include oil changes, new tires, and registering your vehicle.

Even after you have been approved and received your keys, it is important to remember that safety always comes first. A single accident or ticket could put points on your license and cause legal problems that will haunt you for many years.

Auto Finance: Making The Most Of Your Trade-In

If you have ever had the pleasure of buying a new car in the past, you may be well aware of the disappointment that is often linked to trading in a vehicle. Many car buyers feel that their trade-in is worth far more than they got for it, so this aspect of the car buying process is often filled with resentment. As you prepare to trade in your next car, you may consider following a few tips to maximize the amount of money you get for your trade in.

Get It Inspected

Through dealerships, like Young Automotive Group, you can easily get the car inspected before you take it to the dealership for a trade-in. If your car is given a clean bill of health, you can take the corresponding paperwork from your mechanic to the dealership to ensure you get top dollar for the trade in. If work is needed on the car, you can make the decision about which repair items to tackle before you trade it in to get the best value possible.

Research the Value

You can use your choice of online car valuation websites to research the actual value of your used car. These sites typically have a resale value and a trade-in value. Dealers offer a lower trade-in value so that they can mark up the cost to the resale value later to make their profit on it. With this in mind, you may get a better deal when you sell your car on your own. However, if you choose to go through a dealership for a trade in, use your online research to avoid being cheated out of money.

Keep the Numbers Separated

Some dealerships try to work the numbers of the trade in and the new car purchase together. For example, they may say they can give you so much on your trade in if you pay so much for the new car. Avoid getting caught up in this situation, and hold firm that you want to work out the trade in numbers before you talk about buying the new car.

Get Multiple Offers

Finally, avoid jumping at the first offer you get. It can take time to shop around with various dealerships, but this ultimately could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Identify at least three dealerships to get quotes from before you make a final buying decision, and let all three know that you need their best offer because you will be shopping around.

While it can be disappointing to learn what the true value of your trade in, you can minimize your resentment when you follow these steps. These steps will help you to get the most out of your trade in for your financial benefit.

Slip-Sliding Away: 3 Tactics To Avoid Car Accidents This Winter

The winter months bring a lot of nasty weather that can leave the roads coated in ice and snow. Even if it is warm enough for a storm to bring rain instead of ice or snow, it is still easy to get into an accident. What are some things that you can do to avoid getting into a car crash this winter?

Check Your Car Before You Leave

Before you leave home, school or work, make sure that your car is in good physical condition. If you notice that the tires need air, don’t hesitate to find a gas station and inflate them right away. Better yet, you can buy a portable inflation unit that allows you to complete the task quickly and easily no matter how much experience you have with car maintenance. Other issues to look for include fluid leaking from the car or the car not starting when you turn the key.

Don’t Drive Faster Than Road Conditions Allow

The easiest way to get into an accident is to drive too fast for road conditions. Even if the speed limit on the highway is 55 miles per hour, you should go 10 to 20 miles per hour under that in a snow or rain storm. This ensures a safe following distance and lowers the risk that you will skid or slide off of the road.

Avoid The Roads If You Can

If you know that it is going to snow or otherwise be hazardous outside, you should just stay home if you can. In the event that you have to go to work, you could call your boss and ask to come in late or work from home instead of putting yourself in danger. Most employers would rather lose you for the day as opposed to risking your long-term safety.

What If You Are In An Accident?

After an accident, the first thing that you will want to do is call an attorney, like the professionals at Randall A. Wolff & Associates, Ltd. He or she will review the case and let you know how to get any compensation that you may be entitled to. Having in mind which lawyer you would like to use well before any car accident is also a great idea as it will be one less thing that you have to worry about.

Car accidents are never fun regardless of when they occur. However, winter crashes may be more dangerous because you could be stranded in cold weather for hours at a time. Therefore, it is in your best interest to avoid them at all costs through good planning and safe driving habits.

5 Ways a Car Accident Can Change Your Life

No matter how safe of a driver you might be, an accident can take place at any time. While everyone hopes these situations will be resolved quickly, they often devolve into serious legal battles if any injuries have taken place. Here are just five of the ways that your next accident could end up changing your life.

Points on Your License

When a driver goes to traffic school for the first time, they should learn about the point system and how it will impact their ability to drive. While every state is slightly different, drivers who are at fault for an accident will generally have one or more points placed on their license for up to five years. Those who accumulate too many points could have their license suspended.

Legal Troubles

If an auto accident turns into a trial, it can become a very expensive situation for all parties involved. This is especially common if the driver who caused the accident was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In those scenarios, the charges can result in a license suspension or even time in jail. Drunk drivers might also need to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle once their license has been reinstated.

Chronic Injuries

Immediately following an accident, many drivers and passengers do not even realize they are injured because of their adrenaline. Unfortunately, patients who are not treated immediately often develop lifelong injuries and disabilities. Those who do not receive fair compensation to cover their medical expenses should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney, like Jack W Hanemann,P.S. about their legal options.

Expensive Repairs

In addition to medical bills, many drivers face expensive repairs after an accident. When the damage is severe enough, the car will be declared a total loss and the owner must find the funds to purchase a new vehicle. While your insurance might cover some of the expenses, it is not always enough to replace your old car with a similar make and model.

Higher Insurance Premiums

Many drivers do not realize that the increase in their insurance premiums can be the most expensive part of getting into an accident. In some cases, the points on your license will not come off for many years, and your insurance premiums will stay at a much higher rate until those points are removed.

Once an accident has taken place, it is important for all drivers involved to immediately begin taking steps to protect their health, finances, and driving record.

New vs Used: Why a Used Car Will be Easier on Your Finances

Shopping for a car can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. Whether you are upgrading to next year’s model or putting the old car to rest, buying another car can be a tough experience when you don’t know what to look for.

There normally are two options: buying new, or buying used. Buying new usually involves taking out loans, getting credit approved, and signing a lease for the next several years. While this process works for some, there are several reasons why buying a used car is better and easier financially in the long run.

Used Cars Are More Expensive For No Reason

While the phrase "you get what you pay for", normally rings true, it is not always so when buying a new car. The price of a new car is inflated tremendously compared to used cars, even in just a few years difference. When looking at the cars side to side, there is hardly a difference to constitute thousands of dollars in price, so why buy new, other than to have the latest and greatest for show.

When comparing the features between model years, there usually are only minute differences in trim or design. It is a safe bet to say that used cars still contain these features, just without the flashy, extraneous options of a new car. A used car will run a fraction of the price for just as much car. Another factor to consider is insurance. The cost of insurance for a brand new car is more than any other comparably priced vehicle.

It is much cheaper to invest in a cheaper, used car, paying less money for the car itself and for insurance over the next several years. When looking for a vehicle, dealerships like Milton Ruben Toyota have a large selection of certified used vehicles fit to save you money and provide you with safe transportation.

Used Cars Have More Documentation

Most manufacturers guarantee their new cars to be almost flawless and lack problems in the warranty span, but a new model year vehicle with different options has a different formula for how the vehicle operates. It may undergo rigorous testing in the factory, but it is unknown what problems it will obtain in its span of life. Used cars have had their problems documented over time, and people have been trained in ways to recognize potential problems before they come.

Cars will eventually need servicing, whether it is new or used. It is safe to say a used car has more actual usage information on it than a new car. After the warranty runs out on a new car, the repairs are much more expensive than older cars, due to the new technology used on the car. It is wiser to invest in a less expensive, older vehicle, and spend the required money to bring the vehicle up to appropriate maintenance standards.

Used cars are an excellent way to save money in daily finances. The cost of insurance combined with new car payments can sometimes be overwhelming. Shopping used can save you money in the beginning and in the long run of your vehicle ownership.